Issuu

presents

Padel Nation EVENT REVIEW

Padel World Summit 2026

the business of padel ISSUE 2 2026

2026 UK Padel Report Turning a “boom” market into a sustainable one

SOUL MATES

PHOTO: MARIANO CASTRO / PREMIER PADEL

ON THE COVER Martina Calvo Santamaria celebrates during the London P1 at Olympia London

Turning courts into communities

INTERVIEW

JOHN TREHARNE Chair of The Padel Club and founder of The Gym Group

Looking to up your padel game? Turn to the leader trusted by those already winning the game...

Working with Fordingbridge was a breath of fresh air! One of the most professional, respectful, diligent contractors we’ve ever worked with.” Steve Mills, General Manager, Nottingham Tennis Centre

Fordingbridge brings real sector expertise to the table. Their product is strong, their team is comfortable with complex national programmes, and we’ve had complete trust in them every step of the way.” Sean McNicholas, Director of Estates & Facilities, The Bannatyne Group

Your padel project deserves a winning team Get in touch with our friendly, expert team today, to turn your padel dream into an exciting reality fordingbridge.co.uk | info@fordingbridge.co.uk | 01243 55 44 55

The padel court canopies Fordingbridge have designed for us have been beautiful and we’re thrilled with the finished product. The player experience is now excellent, regardless of the weather. The team’s attention to detail and commitment to meeting our needs was impressive.” Freya Tringham, Head of Padel, Powerleague

At every step of the development we felt assured that the advice, technical specifications and delivery of Fordingbridge’s product would be to the highest standards. The finished canopies not only look amazing but have received excellent feedback from our players.” Carole Naunton, Director, West Worthing Tennis Club

OFF-COURT ESSENTIALS Drive secondary spend with retail-ready leisurewear

The Padel Collection is designed for life off court - relaxed, stylish, and built for everyday wear. Perfect for clubs and courts looking to expand retail appeal, the range offers strong margins, attractive RRPs, and arrives retail-ready with hang tags and pre-packed bundles. Ready to sell straight from the box.

View the full range at:

thepadelcollection.co.uk Interested? Get in touch:

hello@taylormadedesigns.co.uk

IN THIS ISSUE

Padel Nation ISSUE 2 2026

www.padelnation.uk

Dedicated to the business of padel

18 32

PadelNation is at the heart of the UK’s fastest-growing sport. With new courts, clubs and investors entering the market every month, we’ve created the go-to publication and news website for operators, developers, investors and stakeholders looking to succeed in padel. PadelNation is published three times a year as a standalone title, with each issue also included within SportsNation. In addition to this, the annual Padel Book provides the most comprehensive industry guide - covering design & build, management, operations and maintenance - and developed in partnership with SAPCA, the LTA and leading padel specialists. Subscribe today to receive your complimentary copy https://padelnation.uk/subscribe

09 News

32 Building a community

A round-up of the latest

Surge Padel is encouraging muslim

padel industry news

women and girls involved in padel

16 Column: Richard Shaw, SAPCA

32 Empowering Padel

The sky is the limit for padel’s growth

girls to get involved in padel

Advertising opportunities Contact John E: john@nationmedia.uk

18 Interview: John Treharne

42 Military padel

OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER

Chair of The Padel Club explains why

What is UK Armed Forces Padel

the padel market is still in learn mode

and how is it growing the sport?

26 Turning courts

44 UK Padel Report 2026

into communities

Examining the UK market’s pricing,

Soul Padel CEO Mark Hewlett explains

participation and access

Pep Stonor is paving the way for

why participation, not transactions, will shape padel’s next chapter

50 active-net Padel 2026 The event charting growth

28 Sofa2Smash How an initiative is building

52 Padel World Summit 2026

confidence through padel

Event review from Barcelona

PADELNATION.UK ISSUE 2 2026

https://www.linkedin.com/ company/padelnation

PadelNation is published by SportsNation Ltd. This publication is protected by copyright and no part may be reproduced, transmitted or stored in any print or electronic format without the written permission of the publisher. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the contents of this publication and PadelNation accepts no responsibility for any error or misrepresentation. Opinions expressed by the contributors and advertisers are not necessarily those of the publisher and we do not accept responsibility of losses or damages arising from them. Printed by BCP Media Group Ltd.

Launch your own padel club app today We give clubs full ownership and control over their data, decisions, and long-term growth.

Your club’s own iOS & Android app

Full ownership of your branding & customer data

Google Analytics & Google Tag Manager integration

One ecosystem that grows with your club

Not a platform, but a partner invested in your success For Clubs

For Players Ready to take back control of your club and put your community first? Scan here to get in touch.

Your club matters. Your voice does too. Scan here to follow us on LinkedIn and mention us to your club.

find out more at bookaball.com

The Specialist Insurance Broker for Padel Clubs www.riskhq.co.uk

Padel Nation NEWS UK padel bookings on Playtomic overtake Spain numbers PEXELS.COM

UK padel bookings have surpassed Spain on Playtomic, highlighting the rapid growth of the sport as London P1 took place in August. Britain moved ahead of Spain for padel bookings on the platform in February 2026 and has remained in front every month since, according to new data from Playtomic. In July, players made 595,511 UK bookings through the platform, compared with 418,034 in Spain. The milestone is particularly significant given Spain’s longstanding position as one of padel’s global powerhouses. The country has around 17,000 courts, while 14

appeal across Britain, with new

risen to 475, demonstrating how

of the current men’s and women’s

players continuing to discover padel

quickly a standalone padel industry

world top 20 players are Spanish.

through clubs, leagues, coaching

has developed. The latest data

sessions and social matches.

arrived as leading players, fans and

Playtomic, which estimates that it handles around 85% of UK

The growth of the UK’s padel

industry figures gathered in London

padel bookings, also recorded

infrastructure has been equally

for the London P1 tournament,

104,430 people making their first

dramatic. In July 2021, Britain had

placing further attention on the

UK booking during July alone. The

just four dedicated padel clubs.

UK’s emergence as one of padel’s

figures underline the sport’s growing

By July 2026, that figure had

fastest-growing markets.

Ignite Padel expansion to create UK’s largest padel site Ignite Padel has announced a major

expanded site will include facilities

expansion of its flagship Speke

designed for both community

venue, which is set to become the

participation and professional events.

UK’s largest single padel site when work is completed this August.

A new viewing gallery will be created for tournament matchplay,

The Liverpool facility will more

while Ignite Padel plans to work with

than double in size, increasing to

the International Padel Federation

56,000sq ft. Its court capacity will

to bring major competitions to

also grow from 10 to 17, supporting

Liverpool. The venue will also operate

rising local demand and plans to

as a 24-hour community sports

stage elite-level competitions. The

hub and elite training centre.

PADELNATION.UK ISSUE 2 2026

Padel Nation NEWS PHOTO: CLASH OF THE COACHES

Padel coaches travelled from as far as Spain and Italy

Clash of the Coaches eyes expansion Clash of the Coaches could expand into regional and international tournaments following the success of its inaugural event in London. More than 50 padel coaches from across the UK and overseas competed at Racketeer in London in August, bringing together some of the people described by organisers as the “backbone” of the sport. Created by World Padel Network founder Jamie Rowe and delivered in partnership with Nico Padel 22, the first Clash of the Coaches featured nine UK regional teams alongside an international side. “To take it from an idea to reality, it’s been incredible,” says Jamie. “I think what means the most to me is how far some people have travelled with coaches coming from all across Europe to take part.”

Pure Padel opens Solihull site as it continues UK expansion Pure Padel has opened a new

just a place to play, but a full

four-court facility at Moseley

sporting and social destination.

Cricket Club in Solihull. The Solihull venue features three

The venue is also expected to attract strong interest from local

premium covered panoramic

businesses, with its clubhouse, bar

courts and one uncovered court, a

and court facilities making it well-

to open in Hockley, Birmingham,

bespoke clubhouse, licensed bar,

suited to corporate events, private

the company is assembling a

pro shop and free on-site parking.

hire and client entertainment.

connected network of premium facilities across the region.

Courts are available on a

It is the first site in what the

pay-to-play basis, bookable

company intends to become a

Sammy Arora, Founder and

via the Playtomic app, with

cluster of sites across the West

CEO of Pure Padel, said: “Solihull

pricing starting from £28 per

Midlands, as it looks to further grow

is the start of something we

hour. Coaching, leagues and

its presence on the UK market.

have been planning carefully.

social events will be available

With a site already secured in

on site for players of all levels,

Warwick, subject to planning, and

one of the most exciting

giving the local community not

a seven-court indoor facility due

opportunities for UK padel.”

PADELNATION.UK ISSUE 2 2026

The West Midlands presents

Padel Nation NEWS

PadelXpo to launch UK’s first national padel exhibition at NEC PadelXpo will launch at NEC Birmingham on 5-6 June 2027, creating a new national meeting point for the UK padel market. Launched by Raccoon Media Group, the large-scale event has been designed to bring the full padel ecosystem together. Players, fans, clubs, operators, brands and industry leaders will all be part of a two-day showcase for one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. The launch has already attracted a strong celebrity and sporting line-up. Confirmed guests include Brit Award-winning rapper Aitch, comedian Jason Manford, former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan OBE,

ahead of the inaugural event. Padel

has more than 1500 courts in

and Olympians Chemmy Alcott,

participation has grown rapidly

operation. However, the sport has

Montell Douglas, and Gail Emms.

across Britain. According to the

not yet had one major national

GB padel player Nikhil Mohindra

event organisers, participation

platform that connects consumer

will also appear, alongside Sky

has more than doubled in the

demand with the commercial

presenters Gail and Jo. More names

past year to more than one

side of the market. PadelXpo has

are expected to be announced

million players, while the UK now

been created to fill that space.

Smash Padel secures £1.25m investment Smash Padel has secured £1.25m in new funding to support its expansion strategy, with the UK operator aiming to grow from five to 20 sites. The investment has been led by Middleton Enterprises, the UK-based investment firm founded by entrepreneur Jeremy Middleton. Smash Padel will use the funding to accelerate its rollout across the UK, with a focus on underserved communities. The business currently operates five profitable sites in Bicester, Oxford, Whitstable, Mid Sussex and Cardiff. A new venue will open in August 2026, with a further three sites planned before the end of the year.

SMASH PADEL

“Middleton Enterprises has a proven track Smash Padel plans to expand from five to 20 UK padel sites

PADELNATION.UK ISSUE 2 2026

record of supporting businesses like ours as we scale and expand into new locations,” says Simon Champ, Co-Founder of Smash Padel.

Y NL O ED 'S AT ER UK DIC UM NT DE NS EVE CO DEL PA

The UK padel market is growing Will your brand be part of it?

10,000+ engaged visitors Launch, sample & sell your products Build your brand in UK padel Showcase your latest innovations Be part of the UK’s biggest celebration of padel @padelxpo www.padelxpo.com Proud Partners

raquex.com

Raquex

Padel Nation NEWS Britain’s first Premier Padel P1 held at Olympia British padel got its biggest week yet as the Premier Padel Tour, the sport’s top professional circuit, landed in London for the first time, with six days of top-level matches at Olympia’s Grand Hall from 4 to 9 August.

SEGRO named official LTA partner to support growth

As a P1, the event sits one tier below the Majors and draws the full professional field. World No.1 pair Agustín Tapia and Arturo Coello headlined the men’s

SEGRO has been announced

open up padel to more diverse

draw, with their rivalry against

as a new official partner of the

audiences, with a particular focus

Alejandro Galán and Federico

LTA, with the partnership set to

on underserved communities.

Chingotto tipped as the standout

“SEGRO is a business rooted

contest on tour this year. Ariana

in places and the communities

Sánchez, Alejandra Salazar and

around them,” explains James

Paula Josemaría lead a strong

become development partner

Craddock, UK Managing Director

women’s field. The home interest

to LTA padel, creating a new

at SEGRO. “This partnership with

ran deep. Eight British players

collaboration focused on making

the LTA reflects our commitment

had wildcards across the draws.

racket sports more accessible at

to widening opportunity and

both national and grassroots level.

supporting wellbeing through

almost entirely through grassroots

support the growth of tennis and padel across UK communities. The agreement also sees SEGRO

For a sport that has grown

As part of the partnership,

sport. By also working in tandem

club openings and word of mouth,

SEGRO will work with the LTA

to deliver a new grassroots padel

a home P1 with this level of British

across the 2026 season, including

programme, we are helping to

representation marks a shift.

on the launch of a new grassroots

remove barriers to participation

This is the first time UK players

padel initiative. The programme

and open up the sport to more

could test themselves against

will support the LTA’s ambition to

communities across the UK.”

the world’s best on a home court, in front of a home crowd.

MATCHi and Eversports join forces to strengthen offering Sweden-based MATCHi Group and

Together, the companies combine

Austrian Eversports have joined

MATCHi’s understanding of racket

forces to strengthen their offering

sports and club operations and

to sports facilities across Europe.

Eversports’ experience in building

MATCHi’s platform currently supports

scalable software. The partnership

The partnership will enable the

more than 3,000 facilities, while

will allow MATCHi to further

companies to enhance their offer

Eversports provides software and

accelerate the development of

booking solutions to more than

racket sport-specific solutions

6,000 sports and wellness facilities.

tailored to padel facilities.

PADELNATION.UK ISSUE 2 2026

opinion

The sky is the limit for padel’s growth Richard Shaw CEO, SAPCA

t was fantastic to spend time at the P1 event in London in August. The standard of padel on show was incredible. I was lucky enough to witnesss Augustin Tapia play with a style and grace that reminded me of watching Roger Federer play tennis. As masters of their

craft, they both make it look like they have more time to play their shots than everyone else. It was also great to see Olympia being used for a

It was great to see Olympia being used for a sports event. It is an iconic venue and one of my personal favourites Many of the conversations I had during P1 reminded me of the Paul Rudd meme: “Look at us, who

favourites, having watching boxing there in the early

would have thought? Not me!”. There were lots of

2000’s. However, the best part was seeing people who

‘remember when’ conversations among the padel

have been involved in padel in the UK since the early

industry professionals, reminiscing about the early

days of the sport’s phenomenal growth take pride in the

projects and jobs they were involved with. The sport

event. The venue, the level of excellence on show and the

has grown exponentially, in every way, over the past

sell-out crowds provided validation that, as sport, padel

decade. I wonder how big padel will be in another

matters and is becoming part of “the mainstream”.

10 years. For now, it seems that the sky is the limit.

sports event. It is an iconic venue and one of my personal

PADELNATION.UK ISSUE 2 2026

MOVE. CONNECT. PLAY.

FIND OUT MORE!

LEADING THE WAY IN PADEL SINCE 2021. Surge Padel is expanding across the UK, partnering with golf, leisure, rugby, football and tennis clubs, plus large venues. Known for premium facilities and community-focused coaching, Surge helps venues tap into the booming demand for padel. For partnership or property opportunities, contact rich.wingfield@surgepadel.co.uk

OUR CLUBS: Premium indoor courts Pro Padel Shop Expert coaching Luxury changing rooms Free on-site parking SURGE PADEL HARROGATE

Hornbeam Park Ave, Harrogate HG2 8QT

SURGE PADEL BRISTOL

Unit 1, Lodge Causeway Trading Estate, Bristol, BS16 3JB

People

Nobody genuinely knows yet, because the market simply isn’t mature enough

THE UK PADEL MARKET IS STILL IN LEARN MODE John Treharne, founder of The Gym Group and one of the fitness industry’s true pioneers, took up the role of Chair of The Padel Club last year. He sat down with PadelNation to outline the plans for the company and to share his views on the future direction of the UK’s padel market

PADELNATION.UK ISSUE 2 2026

ew people have built a leisure business on the scale of John Treharne. Having founded The Gym Group in 2007 and helped transform the UK’s fitness market through its high-value, low-cost model, he has spent almost two decades growing one of the country’s largest gym operators. Now, as chair of The Padel Club, Treharne is applying many of those same principles to one of

as Germany and the United States. We were able

Britain’s fastest-growing participation sports. While

to learn from those businesses before adapting

he believes the UK padel market has enormous

the model for the UK. Padel is at a similar stage

potential, he is equally clear that operators should

today. The UK market is still relatively embryonic,

resist assuming they already have all the answers.

but that’s exactly what makes it exciting.

“The reality is that nobody knows yet,” he says repeatedly throughout our conversation. From club size and indoor versus outdoor courts

You’re chair of The Padel Club. What does your role involve?

to pricing, customer behaviour and facility design,

I’m one of the founder shareholders alongside

Treharne believes the sector is still discovering what

Paul Gilbert, who also chaired The Gym

a mature UK padel market will ultimately look like.

Group for many years. Our role is really to

In a wide-ranging interview with PadelNation,

support the business, help secure funding and

he discusses The Padel Club’s growth plans,

bring some of the experience we’ve gained

why he believes accessibility will determine

from building leisure businesses before.

the sport’s long-term success, what operators

Kris Ball, our CEO, has a very strong operational

can learn from the evolution of the gym

background from David Lloyd, so our job is

industry, and why he thinks padel should

to help him build something at scale. We’ve

eventually have its own independent voice.

opened four clubs so far and have planning permission for several more. Like any growing

After spending four decades in the fitness sector, what attracted you to padel?

business, we’re focused on building the right foundations before accelerating expansion.

There were a lot of similarities with where the

time in Portugal and could immediately see

You’ve spoken before about the similarities between gyms and padel. What are the biggest lessons you’ve taken from one sector into the other?

the opportunity. The sport was already well

Probably the biggest lesson is that you never

established in parts of Europe, but hardly anybody

stop learning. When we started The Gym

was playing it in the UK. That felt very familiar.

Group, I spent months visiting operators

gym market was when we launched The Gym Group nearly 20 years ago. Paul Gilbert and I had both discovered padel while spending

When we started The Gym Group, high-value, low-cost gyms already existed in markets such

overseas to understand what worked well and where there were opportunities to improve.

PADELNATION.UK ISSUE 2 2026

People We’re doing exactly the same thing now. We’re regularly visiting clubs across Europe, looking at different construction techniques, operating models and player experiences. Anyone who tells you they already know exactly what the UK padel market will look like in five years’ time is kidding themselves. There are still so many unanswered questions. How many courts should a club have? What’s the right balance between indoor and outdoor facilities? What’s the optimum operating model? Nobody genuinely knows yet, because the market simply isn’t mature enough.

The UK has seen rapid growth in the number of courts. Has that surprised you?

If the sport is going to become truly national, it has to be seen as affordable and welcoming rather than exclusive Outdoor courts will always have a place, but

A little. Padel has existed for around 60

our climate makes indoor facilities much more

years, so in one sense it’s surprising it didn’t

attractive for most of the year. If you look at our

establish itself in Britain much earlier.

Trafford development, we’ve built both indoor

At the moment there are around 1,600 courts in the UK. Spain has something like 30,000.

and outdoor courts, but I believe indoor facilities will ultimately dominate the UK market.

The populations are broadly comparable,

courts than it does today. I think one important

One of the defining characteristics of padel is its social appeal. How important is that community aspect?

difference from southern Europe is that the UK

It’s absolutely fundamental. Players don’t simply

market will become predominantly indoor.

want somewhere to play for an hour and then

so it’s difficult to argue that Britain couldn’t ultimately support many thousands more

leave. They want somewhere they can meet friends, have a coffee or a drink afterwards and spend time together. That’s one of the reasons our clubs include good social spaces alongside the courts. It’s actually something padel shares with squash. The big difference is that padel appeals to a much broader demographic. It’s much easier for beginners to pick up, it’s played predominantly as doubles, and participation is spread much more evenly across different age groups and between men and women. That combination creates a very strong community environment.

The Padel Club doesn’t operate on a traditional membership model. Why? The reason is simple – accessibility. One of the reasons The Gym Group was successful was because we removed barriers to participation. I think padel needs to do exactly the same. We’re a pay-and-play operator rather than a membership club because we want people to be able to book a court without feeling they’re joining an exclusive club. Our indoor courts are around £10 per player per hour at peak times, with rackets and balls included.

We also provide coaching, a café bar and quality

the country. That’s understandable at this

facilities because we believe players are looking

stage, but I don’t think that’s where the market

for value rather than simply the lowest possible

ultimately ends up. There’s no reason why

price. It’s about creating a high-quality experience

people in places such as Luton, Southall or

that’s accessible to as many people as possible.

other less affluent communities shouldn’t enjoy playing padel just as much as anybody else.

You’ve spoken about making padel accessible. Is there a danger that padel becomes perceived as elitist?

it has to be seen as affordable and welcoming

I think there is, and it’s something the industry

I like the pay-and-play model. It removes one

needs to think carefully about. One of the things

of those psychological barriers that traditional

that made The Gym Group successful was making

club membership can sometimes create.

If the sport is going to become truly national, rather than exclusive. That’s one of the reasons

exercise accessible to everyone. We weren’t trying to create an exclusive environment – we wanted to remove barriers to participation.

Expansion is clearly a priority for The Padel Club. What challenges do operators face?

I think padel should have the same ambition.

Planning, without question. Like the gym sector,

At the moment, much of the development

planning remains one of the biggest obstacles

is taking place in relatively affluent parts of

to growth. We’ve experienced periods where

PADELNATION.UK ISSUE 2 2026

People

several applications have been progressing at

Quality, durability and after-sales support

the same time, only for nothing to happen for

are every bit as important as purchase price.

months and then three approvals arrive in a

Players notice the difference. Beyond the

single week. You simply can’t plan a business

court itself, operators also need to think about

efficiently around that level of unpredictability.

the complete playing environment—lighting,

Planning also influences the indoor versus outdoor

ventilation, ceiling height, the sub-base beneath

debate. Outdoor courts inevitably raise questions

the court and the overall customer experience.

around lighting and noise, whereas indoor facilities

Those details become increasingly important

generally avoid many of those issues. That’s another

as the market matures. I also wouldn’t be

reason why I believe the UK market will become

surprised if the international supply chain evolves

increasingly focused on indoor developments.

significantly over the next five years, just as we’ve

As a business, we’ll continue growing steadily. We currently have four clubs open and planning permission secured for several more, but expansion has to be sustainable. The Gym Group didn’t open 20 gyms in its first year, and I don’t expect the padel sector to develop overnight either.

Court quality has become an increasingly important issue as the market expands. How do you approach that? We’re still evaluating the market. When we first launched The Gym Group, we didn’t immediately settle on one equipment supplier either. We spent time testing different manufacturers before developing long-term relationships. I think the same applies to padel courts.

PADELNATION.UK ISSUE 2 2026

seen happen in the fitness equipment market.

YOUR PADEL PARTNER OPERATIONS Our experienced team manage everything from site feasibility assessments to opening day & beyond.

MARKETING Our strong, clearly defined brand reflects our vision to create a community and welcome everyone to the court.

PROPERTY Our concept is modularised, replicable and quick to scale with expert project management through design, legal, planning and development phases.

FIND US IN

STOCKPORT, ST HELENS BRAEHEAD & LOUGHBOROUGH UNI VISIT OUR WEBSITE:

SOULPADEL.CO.UK Contact Mark on 07961 310 078 or Guy on 07748 656763 to discuss partnership and development opportunities.

Stay up to date:

CLUBS COMING SOON SALFORD UNI LIVERPOOL WIGAN LONDON PRESTON AYR WARRINGTON IRVINE MIDLOTHIAN LANCASTER

DEESIDE WASHINGTON

People

I think over time we’ll see county leagues, stronger club competitions and more structured player pathways developing across the UK Looking beyond The Padel Club, where do you see the biggest opportunity for the wider sector? Participation. That’s the word I keep coming back to because I think it’s the most important one. Personally, I believe participation-led leisure has a stronger longterm future than entertainment-led leisure. People might visit a trampoline park or another attraction occasionally for a birthday party or corporate event, but they don’t usually build those activities into their weekly routines. Padel is different. People want to improve and join coaching sessions. They arrange games with friends and become part of a community. That regular participation creates sustainable

The fitness industry has organisations such as

demand for courts in exactly the same way regular

ukactive and EuropeActive that exist specifically

gym attendance creates demand for fitness

to represent operators’ interests. I can see merit in

facilities. The social element is hugely important, but

padel developing something similar in the future.

it exists alongside genuine sporting participation.

The LTA has undoubtedly played an important

I think over time we’ll see county leagues,

role in helping establish padel in Britain, but

stronger club competitions and more structured

its primary responsibility will always be the

player pathways developing across the UK.

development of tennis. As padel becomes a significant sport in its own right, there may

Finally, do you think the sport needs a stronger independent voice as it grows?

come a point where operators feel the sector

Personally, yes. As the sector continues

representative body focused entirely on padel.

to mature, I think there will eventually be

would benefit from having its own dedicated We’ve seen comparable models work

a need for an organisation whose sole

successfully in other parts of the leisure industry,

focus is representing padel operators and

and I think it’s a conversation the sector is

supporting the development of the sport.

likely to have as it continues to grow.

PADELNATION.UK ISSUE 2 2026

Theratingssolutionforclubs, fe ed ffederations,andbookingplatforms. eder

Play Playerlevels a ay yerlev ye r ev eve vels s shouldn’tbea ’ be bea should dn’t ’t headache. hea e dac ea che. e e.

Mismatchedplayerscostyoutime,members,andrevenue. Mis i mat is atc at tched e play ed aye ay yers rsco cos co os stt yo y uti ttime, e me e, embe b rrs be s, andre s, rev re eve venue. e e. Accurateplayerratings. A Ac ccura cc rat ra ate te play aye ay yerra rat ra ati tings s s. Fairmatchesthatkeepplayerscomingback. Fairmat atc at tches e that es a ke at kee eep play aye ay yers r co c mingba b ck. ba k k. Proventoincreaseengagementandretention. Pro rov ro ove vento t incre to rea re ease s enga agement n andre nt ret re ete tent nti tio ion. padelnation.uk PadelLevels.io PadelLev e ev vel177 ve s.io

Growth

Turning courts into communities

Mark Hewlett, Founder and CEO of Soul Padel, explains why participation, not transactions, will shape padel’s next chapter

f the UK padel sector is serious

Returns of engagement

about sustainable growth, then the

The response has been significant. More than 8,000

conversation has to move beyond

players have now joined Soul Mates, with up to 65%

acquisition and towards belonging.

of customers enrolling from day one of a club opening.

At Soul Padel, our Soul Mates programme

was designed as a community architecture, not

That early adoption tells us that players are not simply looking for court time, they are looking for connection.

simply a loyalty overlay. Its core mechanism is

Streak the Court sits within that broader framework.

intentionally simple and deliberately inclusive.

By encouraging Soul Mates to complete four playing

Regardless of who books the court or pays for the

days within a month, it reinforces consistency and

session, if you step onto court and play, you can

habit. In January over 2,000 players across Stockport

earn Almas, our name for points. Participation,

and St Helens engaged with Streaks, with almost 400

not purchasing power, is what is recognised.

completing a full four-day streak. The numbers are

That distinction matters. In many sports

encouraging, but more important is what

environments, the person who controls the

they represent, a shift from occasional

booking holds the value. We wanted to remove

participation to structured routine.

that hierarchy. By rewarding every player on

Routine is where community takes

court, Soul Mates reinforces that padel is

root. When players return weekly, they

a team sport built on shared experience.

form partnerships, recognise faces

It ensures that new players, juniors, social

and begin to feel that they belong.

participants and competitive regulars are all

Clubs stop being transactional spaces

equally visible within the ecosystem of the club.

and become social anchors. In a sport as accessible and communal as padel, that transformation is powerful.

Patterns of play Crucially, Soul Mates also gives us insight into our community in a way traditional models cannot. Because Almas are earned through participation, we can analyse patterns of play across different demographics,

PADELNATION.UK

markets and ability levels. With 84% of Soul Mates choosing to complete their full personal profile, we now have a far clearer understanding of our players’ gender balance, age distribution and postcode spread. That insight allows us to avoid a one-size-fitsall approach. In established markets, the challenge may be maintaining engagement in a competitive landscape. In emerging areas, it may be building

More than 8,000 players have now joined Soul Mates, with up to 65% of customers enrolling from day one of a club opening

confidence and lowering the barrier to return. Insight allows us to respond intentionally, not generically. The reward structure is equally community-focused.

Our recent free-play-for-a-year prize in Stockport demonstrated how seriously we value consistent

Almas can be exchanged for free play, making it

participation . Yet the bigger ambition is cultural. As the

easier to get back on court and reinforce habit. They

UK padel market becomes more crowded, clubs that

can also be donated to What’s That Racket?, helping

recognise every player, reward the right behaviours

introduce more children to padel and extending the

and use insight to serve their communities thoughtfully

impact of each player’s participation beyond their own

will be the ones that endure. For us, Soul Mates is

game. When Soul Mates unlock new tiers, they receive

not about points. It is about creating environments

a Soul Padel T-shirt that celebrates their milestone,

where people feel seen, valued and motivated to

creating a visible symbol of belonging within the club.

return. That is how courts become communities.

PADELNATION.UK ISSUE 2 2026

People

SOFA 2 SMASH Building confidence through padel Sofa 2 Smash is a community-focused, eight-week introductory padel programme created by Smash Padel. Adapted from the NHS Couch to 5K model, it guides inactive or under-confident adults from a sedentary lifestyle into playing padel. Annabelle Denly, a Level 2-qualified LTA coach with experience working in the NHS mental health service, led the programme at Smash Padel Bicester site. She tells PadelNation how the initiative delivers lasting, positive impacts on those taking part

ur aim with Sofa2Smash

During my last job, I was doing my Level 2 LTA

was to introduce inactive

Padel Instructor course and Smash Padel Bicester

individuals who would

allowed me to run a free 6-week beginners course

benefit from the mental,

for my mental health patients. These sessions were

physical and social

very rewarding and received positive feedback

effects of an accessible

from patients, and then these sessions inspired me

and coach-guided padel

to start working for Smash Padel Bicester as an

programme. Prior to my role at Smash Padel Bicester, I was working in an NHS mental

Assistant Manager and Coach from June 2025. At Smash, we have a data-centred approach to

health service as a physical wellbeing worker,

running our programmes and community initiatives.

aiming to get patients with mental health

Therefore, we conducted a pilot study to collect

issues active within their local communities.

both numerical and anecdotal evidence from participants to see if the programme improves mental and physical wellbeing in our target population. After recruiting with the help of Cherwell District Council and local physical activity charities such as Active Oxfordshire, I had initial phone call consultations with all 6 participants to discuss how they heard about the programme, their reasons for signing up and to identify their personal goals. All participants were female, aged between 18 - 44 years old and 33% were non - white. We used three different assessment measures at three separate time points to collect numerical data before, halfway through and after the 8-week course.

PADELNATION.UK ISSUE 2 2026

People

We measured mental wellbeing, physical activity, and quality of life at these three different time points, and asked for verbal feedback throughout in addition to an evaluation form at the end. I ran eight planned sessions, starting with a lot of movement, balance, and the foundations of padel in addition to a large focus on teamwork and connecting with other participants. I made myself available for 30 minutes before and after a session to provide support for players, and offered free hot drinks to encourage socialising and connecting. We had a group chat where I communicated regularly and continue to communicate in now. Overall, an eight-week phased and highly supportive padel programme can show

PARTICIPANT’S DESCRIBED HOW S2S WAS “STRESS-FREE”, “NON-JUDGEMENTAL” & “REWARDING”

improvements in mental wellbeing, self-reported health, physical activity and exercise levels, in turn

In summary, S2S can help provide community,

reducing sedentary behaviour. A strong theme

connection and improve both mental and physical

throughout anecdotal responses was the social

wellbeing. To ensure S2S participants remain

aspect of S2S, where connections were formed and

supported, we have offered large discounts on

participants even arranged between themselves to

group coaching and socials to keep learning and

meet up outside of sessions. Participant’s described

meet other people. With the next programme

how S2S was “stress-free”, “non-judgemental” and

almost over, we will create a S2S alumni group for

“rewarding”. All stated that they would be relatively

old and new participants to connect and play.

confident or confident at playing padel outside

In addition to Sofa2Smash, I have worked

the S2S group. In addition to helping participant’s

with the council to run free 6-week courses and

“gain confidence”, S2S also helped with “stress

discounted memberships for families with children

and anxiety”, even encouraged participant’s

on free school meals, as well as creating initiatives

to “[start] exercising again”. Staff support,

such as Walking Padel to allow those who are

communication and competency in keeping

less mobile to play an adapted version of the

participant’s “well informed” and always “listening”

game. We are also delivering a “She Can Smash”

were also reported highlights of the programme.

initiative over the summer holidays, which are free weekly sessions for young girls to help introduce them to padel, and hopefully get them and their friends playing regularly. This has all been made possible by working with local schools to help organise and deliver free Primary and Secondary School Festivals with coaching and gameplay. We have also been to schools to deliver adapted padel sessions, and we have attended a number of local well-being events to partner with local services and understand the needs of the community. My aim now as Interim Manager is to continue working with our local community and services to enable anyone to be active, connect with others and feel a sense of belonging through playing padel.

PADELNATION.UK ISSUE 2 2026

High-performance buildings for high-energy play Spaciotempo building the future of padel

SAPCA approved

All-weather protection

Turnkey solutions

Spaciotempo manufacture, supply and install standalone padel buildings and covered canopies. With rapid installation, end-to-end project management and flexible, cost-effective pricing plans, its game, set and match on our solutions.

01889 569 569

Scan the QR Code to watch

www.spaciotempo.co.uk

People

Building a community through padel Surge Padel has formed links with a mosque local to its Bristol site to get more muslim women and girls involved in the sport. Rich Wingfield, MD of Surge Padel, outlines how the collaboration works

t Surge Padel Bristol, inclusion and accessibility are at the heart of everything we do. From the moment we opened our doors, we’ve been committed to building a club that truly

rreflects eflects the community around us - and that means going beyond the courts to create opportunities for everyone to get involved. One of the partnerships we’re most proud of this year has been our collaboration with Bristol’s local Mosque community. Through a series of sessions designed to introduce padel to new audiences, we’ve been welcoming women and girls to Surge in a warm, supportive and judgment-free environment - many of whom had never picked up a padel racket before. The response has been nothing short of incredible. Padel’s unique combination of fun, accessibility and social energy makes it the perfect entry point

for people who might not have engaged with sport before. It’s a game where beginners can enjoy a rally within minutes, where laughter comes as naturally as competition, and where the focus is always on participation over perfection. For many of the women and girls who have joined us through this partnership, that’s made all the difference. What’s been most rewarding isn’t just the growth in participation - it’s the genuine connections that have formed. Players who arrived not

What’s been most rewarding isn’t just the growth in participation - it’s the genuine connections that have formed

knowing anyone have left having made friends. Families have come together on court. And a community that perhaps felt sport wasn’t for

We’re incredibly grateful to the Mosque

them has discovered a new passion, a new social

community for their openness, their enthusiasm

outlet and a new reason to keep coming back.

and their trust in us. This is exactly the kind of

At Surge, we believe padel has the power to

partnership we want to build more of - reaching

do more than just fill courts. When the game is

into different communities across Bristol and

introduced in the right way, in the right environment,

showing that padel truly is a sport for everyone.

it becomes a vehicle for something much bigger - belonging, confidence, health and joy.

This is just the beginning. We can’t wait to see where this journey takes us next.

PADELNATION.UK ISSUE 2 2026

Briefing

The number that follows you around the world PadelNation talks to Jethro Binns, co-founder of LevelTech, about how the platform is building the rating infrastructure padel needs – and tackling a problem the sport hasn’t yet solved

or players, the appeal of padel

Today SquashLevels operates in more

lies in its openness. You walk

than forty countries, is endorsed by both

into a club, find a game,

the Professional Squash Association

compete. That experience

and the World Squash Federation, and

depends on something

has been validated across more than

most players never think

7.4 million match results. Its algorithm

about: a shared understanding of level. As the sport scales – more clubs,

more cities, more countries – that shared understanding is fracturing. Different

outperforms every major comparable system — including UTR, Elo, and Glicko — on predictive accuracy. Most importantly: when players are matched within a similar

platforms use different scales. Club ratings drift from

rating band, over 79% of matches are genuinely

competition rankings. A number that carries meaning

competitive. That is what good ratings actually produce.

in one city means very little somewhere new. Players

The real-world impact is measurable. When the

who move between systems quickly discover their rating

Dutch Squash Federation adopted SquashLevels,

is only as useful as the ecosystem that recognises it.

tournament participation rose by 25% and 65%

Padel’s doubles format makes this worse. Your

of team captains reported noticeably more

rating isn’t just a reflection of your own ability — it’s

competitive matches within a single season.

entangled with whoever happened to be your partner. Move between platforms and that entanglement

Applying the model to padel

follows you, distorted. A number that looked

PadelLevels applies the same algorithmic infrastructure

meaningful in one system arrives somewhere new

to padel. Because padel is a doubles sport, partners

carrying someone else’s performance baked into it.

rotate constantly. A credible rating model must

Every racket sport that has grown beyond its

work out how much credit or blame each individual

original community has eventually had to solve

deserves when four people contributed to the result

this. Squash solved it. Padel has not yet — but

— and it must do so across thousands of different

the infrastructure to do so already exists.

partner and opponent combinations. Done poorly, this means playing with a strong partner artificially

What squash learned — and what padel can borrow

inflates a weaker player’s rating, and vice versa. LevelTech’s algorithm isolates individual

LevelTech was co-founded by former

contribution from partnership effects —

professional squash player

producing ratings that reflect you, not who

Jethro Binns and mathematician

you happened to play with last Tuesday.

Richard Bickers to solve

Early validation — across more than

exactly this problem in squash.

6,300 calibrated padel matches —

SquashLevels launched with

produces near-equivalent accuracy to the

a straightforward ambition:

squash result, without any padel-specific

give every player a single,

changes to the underlying algorithm. The

portable rating that works

framework is genuinely sport-agnostic.

anywhere in the world.

PADELNATION.UK ISSUE 2 2026

Jethro Binns, LevelTech’s co-founder and

CEO, says: “Padel has a real opportunity that most

every club, league and competition within a

sports don’t get. Because the growth is happening

membership – a national standard rather than

right now, the sport can choose to build a common

a patchwork of platform-specific rankings.

language for level from the start — before the

LevelTech’s model is built on integration, not

ecosystem locks in around competing standards. If

replacement. Clubs and platforms do not need to migrate

players can carry a rating that’s trusted across clubs,

their users – they connect, and their match data starts

competitions and countries, it keeps the sport open.”

contributing to a rating network that spans the sport.

What this means for clubs and federations

Partnerships

PadelLevels is live and already working with clubs

LevelTech is now actively partnering with clubs, leagues,

across the UK, with match data flowing through

federations, booking platforms and media partners who

integrations with major booking platforms

want to help build a shared rating standard for padel.

including MATCHi, Matchpoint and Court 22.

Binns explains: “For clubs, we are offering a free box

For clubs, the starting point is simple: a free, fully

league up and running in days and give their members

managed box league, up and running in days. Coaches

a portable level from their very first match. For leagues

and managers provide initial level assessments;

and federations, there is the opportunity to connect their

from there, every match refines each player’s rating

competition data to a rating network that works across

automatically. That hybrid approach – human expertise

the whole sport. We are also looking to work with booking

at the start, data doing the work thereafter – means

and tournament platforms, integrating PadelLevels via

ratings are accurate earlier and trusted faster.

API and offer users a credible, cross-platform level.”

For federations, PadelLevels offers consistent, portable rating infrastructure that works across

l For more info visit www.padellevels.io

PADELNATION.UK ISSUE 2 2026

People

Empowering sport At a time when girls are leaving sport at significantly higher rates than boys, visible pathways into emerging sports such as padel have never been more important. One of the organisations paving the way for girls to get involved is EmpowerPadel. PadelNation sat down with founder, Pep Stonor to find out more

nternational Padel Federation (FIP) data shows that women account for 28% of professional-ranked players globally, while girls represent almost one-third (32%) of players in the international junior rankings.

These figures highlight both the progress being made and the opportunity to further grow female participation in the sport.

Through initiatives such as the Girls’ Racquets Programme, Empower Padel is helping to build the next generation of female players by providing access to coaching, facilities, role models and competitive experiences. Empower Padel champions participation in the sport through tournaments, coaching clinics and community events across the UK. PadelNation spoke to Empower Padel’s founder, Pep Stonor, about the company’s mission to to help more women and girls discover padel – and the joy, confidence and connection that sport can bring.

PADELNATION.UK ISSUE 2 2026

What is Empower Padel and when was it launched?

How many events does Empower Padel host each year and what do they “look like”?

Empower Padel launched in September 2024 and

We host 40-60 tournaments every year with

its mission is to help women start, stay in or return

more than 1,000 women on court. When we

to sport through padel. Our ambition is to be the

first started we ran tournaments once a month

equivalent of Park Run for padel, with an Empower

all over the UK – wherever there was an indoor

Padel Activator in every location in the UK.

venue! We now run regular introductory sessions and social matchplay programmes throughout

Where did the idea (and motivation) to set up Empower Padel come from?

the year as well as networking events such as

I started playing padel in Vale do Lobo in Portugal

a mix of fun, social padel with an opportunity for

in 2020. After coming back to the UK my local

women to mix and make conversation. They are

club, Stoke Park, had two courts. However at the

very uplifting and we get great feedback from

time, there were very few women playing and

attendees, with many women coming back and

even fewer competing. Competitions were often

bringing their friends to a second or third event.

panels and holidays with Weebora. Our events are

cancelled due to a lack of entries. I wanted to provide more opportunities for women to try the sport, get coaching and meet other women playing. As an Australian native, sport has played a

Do you have regular partners you work with on the events? We have championed lots of start up brands

massive part in my life, I played university netball

especially female founded brands at our

and tennis and loved taking up a new sport later

events - Noffee, Six Love London and Pounce

in life. Padel has taken me all over the world (I

Padel are all brands we have worked with. As

play for the Aussie National Crocs Masters team)

we scale, we are starting to work with larger

where I’ve met and played with people from many

brands such as Babolat and Waterdrop.

different countries. I want to share my journey and

We like supporting operators who understand

the joy of padel with as many women as possible.

what is needed to attract more women into their

PADELNATION.UK ISSUE 2 2026

People

The biggest achievement has been creating a voice for women and girls in Padel venues and we have helped advise and guide many new venues with initiatives designed to encourage more women into their venues.

Which regions/countries do you operate? How do you choose the locations for the events? We primarily operate in the UK, but also have we choose operators and padel venues that

What would you describe as Empower Padel’s biggest achievement so far?

are supportive of our mission to get as many

We have won several awards this year, including

women and girls on court as possible. As we

the Padel Community of the Year at British Padel

scale, we are looking to base our activators

Awards. I also received the LTA President’s Award this

network in venues so that women all over

year, the first time padel has received the award.

a presence in Australia. In terms of locations,

the UK can reach out to be introduced to the

Our Padel PE programme for girls, supported by

sport or to join one of our Empower Padel-led

Laureus Sport and The Hurlingham Club Foundation,

matchplay sessions. Women are mostly looking

is a huge personal achievement. It has given

for community and will be incredibly loyal to a

200 girls from disadvantaged backgrounds the

venue if that is where their friends are playing.

opportunity to have weekly padel PE lessons for free. The impact on introducing padel to these girls is immeasurable and is aimed at keeping them active and interested in sport beyond their teenage years. However the biggest achievement has been creating a voice for women and girls in padel (currently only one third of all padel players in the UK are women) and hopefully inspiring others to start women and girls initiatives all over the country.

Could you provide details on future events (so our readers can get involved if they wish)? All our events are listed on our website (empowerpadel.com) or our instagram “empower_padel”. The next big one is our twoyear anniversary, which we will celebrate Friday 25 September at Padel Hub in Slough. All are welcome! On 1 September, we’re hosting a Padel Festival for girls aged 16–24, designed to inspire the next generation to get involved in the sport and help grow participation within this age group.

PADELNATION.UK ISSUE 2 2026

TA L K T O A N A N A LY S T

Map your market: who, where, what

How can we help? Our insight is built around you. From member behaviour to market demand, EVOLVEʼs Strategic Insight Services adapt to your business needs, helping you make data led decisions, with confidence.

Our insight explore:

Our insights powered by real industry intelligence

Members Understand who your members are and how they behave.

30+ years of insight 850 million data points

Population Know your local market and true catchment. Competition See your landscape clearly and identify gaps. Demand Uncover opportunity and growth potential.

7,000+ UK fitness sites tracked

Why it matters Reduce risk Identify real opportunity Make confident decisions

To find out more, email hello@weareevolve.io

EVOLVE weareevolve.io

EVL001-HowCanWeHelp-A4.indd 1

26/06/2026 18:14

People

Our goal is to equip girls heading off to university or college with the confidence, knowledge and enthusiasm to continue playing padel wherever they go. We want them to take their passion for the sport with them, join university padel clubs and encourage their friends to give padel a try too. By creating new connections and experiences, we hope to help build a thriving community of young women in the sport for years to come.

Why do you think padel has become so popular so quickly? It is super popular for all the reasons people

only 4% of women in the UK play team sport.

often mention – social, fun, easy. For Empower

It’s hugely important to help women not only

Padel, we really focus on why women may want

start to play but keep playing – that’s our why!

to take up the sport. Many women drop out of

So, when they come to us, they are very nervous

Do you think Empower Padel will work with any other sport? Have you got plans to do so?

and unsure about playing sport again.

Not at the moment. We’re 100% focused on

sport in their teenage years (double the rate of boys) or they have never had racquet experience.

Lack of confidence is a huge issue. This is what

padel and so much to do still in the UK. We aim

Empower Padel really understands and we present

to grow to more than 200 events per year and

padel as a sport that can offer women and girls

5,000 women on court in the next 2-3 years in

something to try that is easy to take up, you don’t

tournaments plus intro to padel, matchplay and

need previous experience and the most important

socials. And then we have plans to go global …

thing is it is social. So women find a sense of

If we inspire just one girl to stay in sport, one

belonging when they come to our events. We also

woman back into being active and one to take up

help give them confidence to know that they can

sport, we have done our job. Hopefully, we will also

“be sporty” whatever their age or experience.

inspire others to follow our lead and bring more

People rarely mention the fact that padel is

women and girls into the sport. We want to be the

a team sport and I saw a stat from Vitality that

leaders in championing women and girls in padel!

PADELNATION.UK ISSUE 2 2026

PADELCLUBS

SETTING THE STANDARD FOR PADEL IN THE UK As padel continues its rapid rise across the UK, Slazenger Padel Clubs has firmly established itself as one of the country’s largest and most influential padel operators, delivering what many now recognise as the highest standard of padel facilities, programming, and player experience nationwide.

PROVEN PERFORMANCE: LEEDS NORTH The foundation of Slazenger’s growth is its flagship Leeds North club, which has now been open for over a year and continues to set the benchmark for padel performance in the UK. With 12 indoor courts, Leeds North operates at an exceptional 90%+ occupancy on a weekly basis, demonstrating both the strength of demand for padel and the effectiveness of Slazenger’s operational model. This success is driven by a comprehensive offering that includes structured coaching programmes for all abilities, daily socials, competitive leagues, and a vibrant club community. Leeds North has also become a destination venue for the sport, hosting elite tournaments, Pro-Am events, and exhibition matches featuring top UK and international players, alongside appearances from high-profile sporting celebrities. These events have played a key role in elevating padel’s profile while reinforcing Slazenger’s reputation as a leader at both grassroots and elite levels.

MOMENTUM BUILDS: SWINDON AND BLACKBURN Following the success in Leeds, Swindon opened in December 2025 and has already established itself as a major hub for racket sports in the region. The club features 8 indoor padel courts, alongside pickleball, and has seen strong early engagement across coaching, socials, and casual bookings. Blackburn, which opened in January 2026, continues this momentum in the North West. With 9 indoor padel courts and pickleball facilities, the club strengthens Slazenger’s multi-sport strategy and reinforces its commitment to creating inclusive, high-quality indoor venues that appeal to both new and experienced players.

INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP AND AMBITION Commenting on the brand’s trajectory, Stuart Perrin, Managing Director, said: “After securing industry-leading results in the Leeds North club, Frasers Group have confirmed their commitment to being the biggest name in the sector to match the heritage and legacy the Slazenger brand has become synonymous with. Growth plans in 2026 should see the chain operate 150+ courts nationally by the end of the year, with an even bigger 2027 planned.” This commitment underlines Slazenger’s position not just as an operator, but as a long-term architect of the UK padel landscape.

WHAT’S NEXT: SCALING AT UNMATCHED LEVEL Slazenger Padel Clubs’ expansion plans are among the most ambitious in the UK. Two major developments are already confirmed:

MANSFIELD

12 indoor padel courts, designed to replicate the proven Leeds model

LEEDS SOUTH

set to become the largest padel club in the UK, with an industryleading 14 courts Beyond these flagship locations, Slazenger has outlined further

expansion into key UK cities, including: • Cardiff • Exeter • Hull • Liverpool (Ellesmere Port) • Newport • York • Gillingham Each new club will follow the same core principles: premium indoor facilities, elite-level court quality, comprehensive coaching pathways, community-led programming, and the flexibility to incorporate additional racket sports such as pickleball where demand exists.

DEFINING THE FUTURE OF UK PADEL From elite competition and celebrity Pro-Ams to accessible grassroots participation, Slazenger Padel Clubs is not simply growing — it is defining what best-in-class padel looks like in the UK. With proven performance, rapid expansion, and a clear long-term vision, the brand continues to lead the sport’s evolution nationwide. Want to get on court? Scan the QR code to book your session.

Growth

MILITARY SPORT Ben Hanley, a Royal Air Force Flight Lieutenant, explains the background to UK Armed Forces Padel and how the organisation is developing the sport across the military

adel wasn’t something I ever expected to play – let alone be responsible for introducing into the British Armed Forces. But after first picking up a racket in Spain, I saw its potential

immediately and pushed, largely alone at the outset, for padel to be formally recognised within UK Armed Forces sport. That persistence paid off, and today I oversee UK Armed Forces Padel, supporting players across the RAF, Army and Navy.

What immediately struck me about padel was how naturally it fits military life. It’s fast, tactical, and built on communication. You can’t succeed without trusting your partner – something every service person understands instinctively. But unlike many traditional military sports, padel is also highly accessible. People can pick it up quickly, enjoy it straight away, and progress together. More importantly, I saw padel as a way to bridge gaps between service personnel, their families,

the PremierPadel circuit, supported delivery

and the civilian communities that surround military

roles at the Hexagon Cup, and found myself

bases. Military life can be transient and isolating;

working alongside elite players, high-profile

padel creates a shared space where everyone

athletes and celebrities – all drawn together

belongs, regardless of rank or background.

by the sport. Those experiences reinforced how

It’s also one of the few sports I’ve encountered

padel transcends background and status; on

that genuinely champions women. In a profession

court, everyone speaks the same language.

where women are often underrepresented,

Looking ahead, my ambition goes beyond

particularly in sport, padel offers a level playing

competition alone. We are opening community-

field. Mixed sessions, mixed competition, and equal

based padel clubs around the UK and overseas –

visibility aren’t an afterthought; they’re built into

hubs that bring together service personnel, veterans,

the culture. That mattered to me from day one.

families and local communities. Places where padel

As interest grew, it became clear that padel

supports wellbeing, inclusion and connection,

needed structure to survive. That led me to

while also creating sustainable pathways for

complete my M3 coaching qualification in Madrid

coaching, competition and rehabilitation.

– not to chase personal performance, but to

I believe padel has the potential to become

ensure safe, sustainable growth within the forces.

one of the Armed Forces’ most impactful modern

Coaching also took on deeper meaning during my

sports – supporting recruitment, retention

own recovery from a serious knee injury, when padel

and community cohesion in equal measure.

became both a physical outlet and a mental reset.

For me, padel has never just been about the

Since then, padel has taken me far beyond anything I expected. I’ve worked at events on

PADELNATION.UK ISSUE 2 2026

game. It’s about people, purpose, and building something that lasts – on and off the court.

Development

active-net Padel charts sector growth active-net Padel is establishing itself as one of the UK padel market’s most important B2B events. The single day event brings operators and suppliers together for insightful panel discussions and focused, pre-arranged one-to-one meetings

he latest edition of active-net Padel took place on 12th May 2026 at

long-term participation and engagement. With padel experiencing significant growth across

Eastwood Hall, Nottingham, bringing

the UK, the session highlighted the importance

together more than 70 delegates

of accessibility, community engagement and

from across the rapidly expanding

sustainable business models in supporting the next

padel sector. The one-day event welcomed a

stage of development for the sport. Delegates were

diverse mix of court owners and operators, clubs,

given valuable insight into both the challenges and

representative bodies and partner suppliers,

opportunities emerging within the marketplace as

all coming together to share insight, explore

demand for courts and facilities continues to rise.

opportunities and strengthen connections within one of the UK’s fastest-growing sports markets.

As with all active-net events, the format

Data, innovation and entrepreneurship Following the opening panel, delegates had

combined education, networking and structured

the opportunity to choose between two

business meetings, creating an environment where

focused workshop sessions, each designed

operators and suppliers could engage in meaningful

to provide practical insight into different

conversations designed to support long-term

aspects of the Padel landscape.

growth and collaboration across the sector.

The first session, “The Data and Insight Behind the Opportunity,” was chaired by Julie Allen

Expert insights on the future of padel

from Active Insight and featured contributions

The day opened with a lively and thought-

from Paul Bennett (LTA) and Jethro Binns

provoking panel discussion chaired by David

(LevelTech). This workshop explored participation

Monkhouse, Director of Active Insight, focused on

trends, market insight and how data can help

the question “How is padel changing to sustain

operators make informed decisions around

participation levels?” Joining David on the panel

investment, programming and facility growth.

were Dave Wright, sector entrepreneur and

Running alongside this was “Padel Entrepreneurs

founder of MyZone, Jo Patterson from Connect 2

– Building a Business in Padel,” featuring

Padel, and Paul Bennett from the LTA. Together,

Chloe Hughes (Name That Ball), Dave Wright,

the panel explored the evolution of the sport,

and Steve McClory (Equinox Padel Club). The

discussing how operators and governing bodies

session focused on entrepreneurial journeys

can continue to build momentum while ensuring

within the sector, sharing experiences around

PADELNATION.UK ISSUE 2 2026

launching businesses, building communities

LLeisure and Ramsay’s. The combination of

and creating engaging customer experiences

established industry names and emerging

in an increasingly competitive market.

businesses created a dynamic atmosphere

Together, the workshops offered delegates a blend of strategic thinking and real-

throughout the day, with conversations focused on innovation, collaboration and future growth.

world experience, helping attendees better understand how to navigate and capitalise on

Looking ahead to 2027

the continued expansion of padel in the UK.

The event concluded with high tea and informal networking, giving delegates the chance

Meaningful networking and business connections A key feature of the active-net series is its structured

to continue conversations and strengthen relationships in a more relaxed setting. Following another successful event, plans

one-to-one meeting programme, and the

are already underway for the next edition

Nottingham event once again delivered valuable

of active-net Padel, which will take place

opportunities for attendees to connect directly

on 19th May 2027 in Northampton.

with relevant businesses and decision-makers. Throughout the afternoon, operators and partner

In an exciting development for the series, the 2027 event will, for the first time, incorporate

suppliers took part in a series of 12 pre-arranged

on-court activity, including one hour of expert

meetings, each lasting 20 minutes. These sessions

coaching and two hours of free padel play.

enabled delegates to explore new partnerships,

The expanded format will create even greater

discuss operational challenges and identify solutions

opportunities for active networking, kit trials and

that could add real value to their organisations.

some friendly competition between delegates.

Supplier categories included kit providers,

As the padel sector continues to evolve at

insurers, and specialist service providers, ensuring

pace, active-net Padel is rapidly establishing

attendees could engage with businesses capable of

itself as an essential event for operators,

supporting every aspect of their padel operations.

suppliers and stakeholders looking to

Among the organisations represented at the

shape the future of the sport in the UK.

event were HireBOB, Active Insight, Baseline,

● To find out more about next

4 Leisure Recruitment and Risk HQ, alongside

year’s event, and book, please visit

operators including The Dome, Active Wirral,

https://active-insight.org/events/active-net-padel/

PADELNATION.UK ISSUE 2 2026

Events

PADEL WORLD SUMMIT 2026

The annual event cements its place as the industry’s show stopper f it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. That age-

The buzzing innovation arena returned and was

old phrase was certainly adhered

complimented by 20 padel start-ups; the expo

to by the team behind the Padel

featured 10 branded courts (an increase of two

World Summit in Barcelona. There

on 2025) encircling the main floor of around 140

were a few tweaks here and there

exhibitors from more than 30 countries; plus there

from the 2025 event, but the return

was the global conference area – for insights and

to Barcelona for the 2026 edition of

discussions into the industry’s major talking points.

the summit had all the hallmarks of last year.

There was a distinctive set of themes to the

The Summit has now firmly established itself as

‘activity programme’ with a trio of talks focusing

the industry’s ‘go to’ business event. This year saw a

on padel investment; and another trio providing

new record attendance of more than 7,200 visitors

insights into the USA, UK and Dutch padel

walk through the doors of Hall 6 (a rise of 20 per

markets. Growth, governance and the time

cent on 2025), with half being from outside Spain.

honoured tradition of the Global Padel Report

As before, the Summit boasted a packed

from Playtomic also featured prominently.

agenda of talks, numerous activations, plus

The booking platform’s latest study shared

the plethora of exhibitors – not to mention

data that has had the industry talking. The key

networking. Consequently, time is a very valuable

stats being a total of 4,969 new clubs were

commodity and it has to be used wisely.

established in 2025 and 7,898 courts were built.

PADELNATION.UK ISSUE 2 2026

Events

The first day was incredible and that alone made it worth coming At the conclusion of the Summit, the awards for the best start-up was announced. UK-based VAM-OS, a finance and operations platform for clubs that offers real-time visibility of profitability and cash flow, came first in the vote. Second place went to booking app aggregator CourtBrain, which is expanding into the UK market, and third place was awarded to Bopa, a ball repressurisation solution designed for club rental use, combining sustainability with operational efficiency.

Positive feedback All the signs are positive for the padel sector, which was great news for the organisers of the Padel World Summit – the International

“We are also seeing visitors from many new

Padel Cluster. Michel Gogniat, the recently

countries. Countries in Asia, some countries

appointed MD of the International Padel Cluster,

from Africa. So, really good for us.

provided a reflection of what Cluster members were saying about this year’s Summit.

“This year, the Summit is much better. There are more people and brands, while we have the chance

“There was a thriving atmosphere and members

to host our distributors from many, many countries

were really happy about the quality of the meetings

including Australia, Ireland, France and Germany.”

they had,” he said. “In terms of the Summit,

Court manufacturers were certainly in agreement

they were saying this is unstoppable. They are

about the business being done at the Summit.

convinced that next year is going to be bigger.

Ray Brinkmanis, CEO of Padel Alba, said: “I

And that in 10 years, there will be a huge venue

have loved the Summit from the first edition.

here and not one hall, but maybe 3, 4, 5 halls.”

This year hasn’t disappointed as it’s been even better than last year - and we already have a

Cluster members echoed this sentiment.

spot for next year. The first day was incredible

Fernando Canovas, general manager of

and that alone made it worth coming.

Greenset said: “This year was really good and

“The people who come here, they mean business.

I’m really happy with all the people coming here.

They come here from all over the world only for this

We are doing good deals, good business.

event. When they come here, they know what they

“We were one of the first companies that believed in the summit three years ago and today

want whether that’s courts, or rackets, or something else. Importantly, they don’t come here just to look.

the people attending are more professional. Padel is growing, business is growing, and people want to invest. That is the most important.” The observations of Carlos Sanchez Sierra of JUBO Padel included the change in the demographics of visitors, and the positive impact

“The Summit is a very well-organised business event.” Rackets, apparel and footwear also dominate the expo floor, with many of the big names present. Spanish brand Joma added star quality to

for the industry. “The Summit is good for business

its stand this year with nine-time women’s

because I think it’s much more for investors, and

number one and brand ambassador

clients who really want to invest in padel,” he said.

Carolina Navarro present all week.

PADELNATION.UK ISSUE 2 2026

Events

Aside from the numerous interviews and photos, Carolina, was also very ‘hands on’ to promote the brand’s products. She said: “I’m working with Joma and helping them with growing padel everywhere in the world and promoting the new collection of rackets. “This year I think we are doing a good job and there are lots of people coming and asking for Joma and wanting to know more about the products.” Making a first appearance at the Summit was major US shoe brand Skechers, which is purposely targeting the padel sector.

Padel’s future growth will increasingly depend on lifestyle, wellbeing, hospitality, community, and experiences

Lee Molyneaux, director Technical Performance Europe said: “We already do pickleball footwear

represented or not represented at all including

because Skechers is from LA. “Pickleball is very more

nutrition brands; medical and recovery; design

Americanised than padel, which is more European,

and furniture solutions; experiences and travel.

so there’s a huge want and need for padel shoes

Pelligrini wrote: “Are courts really the only

in Europe. This is why we’re branching into padel.

thing that matters inside a club? What about

“Padel and pickleball shoes have similar traits, so for this year we have changed the outsole of our pickle shoes to be padel-

lounges, hospitality areas, coworking corners, social spaces, retail concepts, or lifestyle design? “Padel tourism is exploding globally, yet

friendly and then from 2027 onwards, we’ll

there was very little storytelling around

have dedicated padel-specific shoes.

experiences, destinations, retreats, hospitality,

“We’re a $9 billion global brand and we’re

and travel packages connected to the sport.

going to put full resources behind it. We’re

I was hoping to dream a little more and feel

here in Spain, leading the way in padel.

like I could travel the world, instead, I just felt

Every country, every continent is going

like I was inside a huge club in Barcelona.

after padel, so we need to be there.”

“The feeling I had while walking through the event was clear: padel is still being represented mainly as

Future horizons

infrastructure and competition, and many rackets.

And while the Summit can celebrate its stature

“Padel’s future growth will increasingly

as THE industry’s meeting point, there potentially

depend on lifestyle, wellbeing, hospitality,

is work to be done for next year. Selena Pelligrini,

community, and experiences.”

one of the co-founders and organisers of this

Plenty for Summit managing director Alex

summer’s London Padel Week, noted plenty of

Ponseti to ponder ahead of the fourth edition

positives in a LinkedIn post but also what she

of Padel World Summit which will take place

called ‘big absences’ with entire categories barely

from 4 to 6 May 2027 at Fira de Barcelona.

PADELNATION.UK ISSUE 2 2026

Insight

From Growth to Lasting Participation Oxygen Consulting has published the 2026 UK Padel Report, which examines growth, pricing, participation, access, venue formats and emerging operating models. PadelNation looks at the main findings from the report

he UK padel market is entering a more demanding stage of its development. After several years in which progress has largely been driven by an explosion in the number of new courts, rapidly

increasing awareness and first-time participation, the 2026 UK Padel Report argues that the sector’s next challenge is to turn that interest into regular, affordable and sustainable play.

Researched and written by Oxygen Consulting

Setting the right price

managing director Ray Algar, the report examines

The report’s most striking finding concerns pricing.

growth, pricing and participation in a rapidly scaling

Across the UK’s nine largest chargeable padel

sport. Its central conclusion is that the long-term

operators, the median peak-time price is £42

strength of UK padel will depend less on how many

per court hour. Oxygen Consulting’s player price-

people try the game once, and more on whether

sensitivity research, however, found acceptable

venues can persuade them to return often enough

national ranges of approximately £13–£21 for

for padel to become part of their normal active lives.

an outdoor uncovered court, £15–£25 for an

This shift has major implications for operators, investors, landlords, clubs and

outdoor covered court and £18–£28 for an indoor court, based on a weekday evening booking.

local authorities. Court numbers will remain

These figures are value benchmarks rather

important, but the market will increasingly be

than recommended prices. Operators may be

judged by utilisation, repeat visits, customer

able to charge more, but the report suggests

loyalty and the ability of venues to create

that any premium will increasingly need to be

commercially resilient communities of players.

justified. As players gain more choice, a court

PADELNATION.UK ISSUE 2 2026

alone may no longer be enough. Weather protection, comfort, changing facilities, reliability, customer service, programming and the overall social experience will all contribute to whether a venue represents good value. This points towards a more sophisticated phase of competition. Successful operators will need to become a player’s “home venue”: the place they choose repeatedly because its location, price, playing formats and atmosphere make it feel worth belonging to, rather than simply worth booking. Memberships, leagues, coaching, social sessions, introductory programmes and stronger off-peak offers are therefore

The most exciting opportunity for UK padel is to find the point where commercial sustainability and social value reinforce each other

likely to become increasingly important.

PADELNATION.UK ISSUE 2 2026

Insight

Venues need to support significant infrastructure investment, appropriate staffing and a high quality player experience Improved access

community-rooted organisations are increasingly

The research also indicates that access is beginning

hosting padel, but frequently as landlords rather

to widen, although provision remains uneven. In

than operators. Oxygen Consulting argues

England’s most deprived neighbourhoods, the

that achieving wider social value may require

number of padel venues rose from six in December

these organisations to play a more active role

2024 to 33 in December 2025, increasing their

in shaping pricing, access and programming.

share of English venues from 3% to 8%. The report

That could lead to more partnership-based

cautions that an updated Index of Multiple

models, combining commercial expertise with

Deprivation baseline prevents a strict like-for-like

community objectives. Operators may gain

comparison, but the direction suggests padel may

access to suitable land and established local

be starting to move beyond its early affluent base.

audiences, while councils, clubs and not-for-

Even so, 60% of venues remain in less deprived

profit asset owners ensure that affordable

neighbourhoods, compared with 40% in more

sessions, targeted programmes and inclusive

deprived areas. The implication is that physical

pathways are built into the proposition.

expansion alone will not guarantee inclusion. A court located on community land can still operate

Choosing locations

at prices, times and through booking systems that

The report also reflects padel’s growing credibility

exclude large sections of the local population.

within the property market. Jess Hill, associate

For that reason, the report places significant

director for UK restaurants and leisure at Savills,

emphasis on delivery models. Rugby and

says padel has moved beyond being a short-term

golf clubs, leisure centres, councils and other

activation tool and is now viewed as a commercially

PADELNATION.UK ISSUE 2 2026

Before committing capital to a padel project, invest in a strategy The UK padel market is maturing. The initial “build it, and they will come” phase is ending. As supply increases, players will gravitate toward venues that deliver the best experience and value, rather than simply choosing the nearest available court. For investors, this means success now depends on professional market positioning and pricing strategy – not just novelty. Oxygen Consulting researches and publishes the annual UK Padel Report. We leverage this deep market data to help organisations make the right build-and-operate decisions. We help organisations build the right version of padel for their site before capital is committed: ● Rapid feasibility studies ● Strategic experience design – building a sense of place and belonging that fosters player loyalty ● Investable operating models – market positioning, pricing strategy, financial modelling Arrange a 30-minute confidential discussion. oxygen-consulting.co.uk ray@ oxygen-consulting.co.uk

Oxygen Consulting – strategic insight that moves people

Insight

The next phase of UK padel will be about more than scale. It will be about value, belonging and repeat participation. credible element of landlord strategy. However,

to return to and demonstrate that padel

the market is becoming more selective and data-

can contribute to physical activity, social

led, with landlords looking for operators that

connection, wellbeing and public health.

can create sustained footfall, complement other

As Algar says that commercial measures, such

tenants and support mixed-use destinations.

as utilisation, pricing and financial returns remain

This suggests the era of expansion based

important, but they do not fully capture the value

primarily on novelty is giving way to one in which

padel can create through social reach, inclusion,

proposals will face closer scrutiny. Investors

community connection and improved health and

and landlords will want clearer evidence of

wellbeing. The real test will not simply be how

repeat demand, realistic pricing, differentiation

quickly the sport expands, but how fairly and

and long-term operational strength.

effectively it contributes to wider participation.

Sustainable growth

to find the point where commercial sustainability

Algar argues that the biggest opportunity is to

and social value reinforce each other,” Algar

find the point at which commercial sustainability

says. “By social value, I mean the benefits

and social value reinforce one another. Venues

beyond financial returns: helping more people

must generate sufficient returns to support

to be active, feel connected, improve wellbeing

infrastructure, staffing and a high-quality

and access sport more easily. Venues need to

experience, but players also need the affordability

support significant infrastructure investment,

and access required to make padel habitual.

appropriate staffing and a high-quality player

The report’s message is not that UK padel

experience, but players also need the price and

should slow its growth, but that it must broaden

access to make padel a repeatable habit. Get

its definition of success. Future winners will

that balance right, and padel becomes much

not necessarily be those that build the most

more than a fast-growing leisure product.”

“The most exciting opportunity for UK padel is

courts or charge the highest prices. They will

The next phase of UK padel will be about

be the organisations that turn curiosity into

more than scale. It will be about value,

loyalty, create venues people genuinely want

belonging and repeat participation.

PADELNATION.UK ISSUE 2 2026

Exceptional Print Solutions for Maximum Impact.

OUR SERVICES: PRINT & SIGNAGE DIRECT MAIL SOLUTIONS LARGE FORMAT VEHICLE GRAPHICS PRINTED PACKAGING BRANDED WORKWEAR BRANDED MERCHANDISE

DISCOVER MORE ONLINE

Your Local Print & Signage Experts - Contact Us Now! 01202 717535

hello@bcp.co.uk

bcp.co.uk

THE UK'S LEADING PADEL INDUSTRY EVENT

The UK Padel Convention is our flagship event, connecting the key people shaping the future of the sport. From club operators and investors to brands and industry leaders, it's where ideas, partnerships, and growth happen. Year 1 had over 750 attendees, 45 exhibitors and 20 live showcase community sessions. Year 2 returns on 4th November 2026 and you can register interest on The Padel Directory website -